Morphological diversity of local land races and wild forms of mungbean

A set of genotypes comprising 81 local land races, four wild forms and four improved varieties of mungbean were grouped into 15 genetic clusters. The genotypes revealed wide variation in stable morphological characters as well as agronomic traits which provided the necessary base for genetic divergence. The wild forms TCR192, TCR 213 and TCR 243 were viny with late maturity and had distinctly different leaflet, inflorescence and pod characteristics. Whereas, a wild accession TCR 20 was erect with sturdy stem, vigorous growth, broad ovate leaflets, long pods, profuse poding with high yield potential and resistance to biotic (bruchids, CLS, PM and YMV) and abiotic(drought) stresses. Clustering pattern confirmed more proximity of TCR 20 with cultivated forms and therefore, it may be amenable for hybridization with cultivated land races and improved varieties for transfer of its desirable traits. Balarampur Keonjhar local was quite distinct from other land races owing to its vigorous growth, broad leaves and long pods with very bold seeds, but worst affected by YMV. In contrast, TARM 1 had high field resistance to diseases including YMV. Nipania munga-an elite land race of Kalahandi district of Odisha was highly drought tolerant with dwarf plant type and good initial vigour. These above genotypes being morphologically unique and having unique desirable agro-economic traits, formed small divergent clusters and hence, may serve as valuable material for genetic improvement in mungbean through hybridization.